By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Eastern Alamance’s Elijah Watson donned special footwear in recognition of autism as part of his attire for the Eagle Invitational held earlier this month at the Mebane Arts and Community Center.
“My uncle gave me the shoes,” Watson said. “His daughter has autism.”
That would be uncle Tadd Watson and 9-year-old cousin Lizzie Watson.
Elijah Watson, a junior, was the 120-pound champion in the two-day tournament December 20-21 at the Mebane Arts & Community Center.
Watson, 17, was the lone boys’ champion from an Alamance County school in the event. He went 4-0, defeating opponents from Northwest Guilford, Randleman, Orange and Overhills.
He said he didn’t wear the new shoes in the competition because it takes time to break in wrestling footwear. But he had them on right after his last match.
Watson was in a good mood by improving one spot from a runner-up finish in the tournament, which had Eastern Alamance as the host, a year earlier. His record for the season improved to 21-3.
“Last year I was pretty sad when I lost,” he said. “To come back and get first made me happy.”
